Staff Reporter:
The Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi observed the Language Martyrs’ Day and the International Mother Language Day Wednesday (21 Feb) with due veneration and utmost solemnity.
Md. Mustafizur Rahman, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India launched the day-long programme in the morning by hoisting the national flag at half-mast and placing floral wreaths at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
As part of the programme, Mission officials and expatriate Bangladeshis joined the “Ekushey Prabhat Pheri”. They also offered wreaths at the Shaheed Minar set up at the High Commission premises. A minute’s silence was observed in memory of the language martyrs.
A special discussion was organized on the occasion of the day. Before the discussion, the messages given by the President and Prime Minister were read out. A documentary film titled ‘Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib and the Language Movement’ was also screened, said a press release of Bangladesh High Commission, New Delhi.In his speech, High Commissioner Rahman highlighted the instrumental role of the Bengali Language Movement in the emergence of Bangladesh as an independent and sovereign state. He stressed on ensuring the use of the Bengali language at all levels and preserving it duly. At the same time, he emphasised learning other languages and saving engendered languages from extinction.
The High Commissioner called on everyone to contribute to the development of Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, holding the spirit of Ekushey and Bangabandhu’s ideals in their hearts.
In the evening, a multilingual cultural programme was organized at the High Commission’s Bangabandhu Hall. In addition to Bangladesh and the host country India, cultural troupes from Chile, Ghana, Japan and Nepal performed in the programme and showcased their respective history and culture through their performances.
The representative of the UNESCO Regional Office in New Delhi also read out the message given by the Director General of UNESCO on the occasion of the ‘International Mother Language Day 2024’.
Finally, a special prayer was offered for the salvation of the souls of all the martyrs, including the language heroes and those who played a historical role in all stages of the freedom and independence movement of Bangladesh and for the continued peace, development and prosperity of the country.
Eminent persons of the host country, high-ranking officials, and diplomats from different Missions based in New Delhi and expatriate Bangladeshis attended the programmes.
